Airports, Lodging, Vacation Rentals & Travel

Photo Credit: Rahn Clayton

State of Florida: Travel Restrictions Still In Place

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-82, directing all persons who enter the State of Florida from an area with substantial community spread, to include the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, or any other area with substantial community spread), to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into the State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in the State of Florida, whichever is shorter.

Key West International and Florida Keys Marathon Airports

Airport screenings of commercial passengers traveling from highly affected COVID-19 areas will continue. Key West International Airport continues to operate, pursuant to and consistent with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration. Airports are regulated by the FAA. Any restriction on aviation would be issued from the federal level. In addition to commercial planes, the airport also hosts general aviation, which is also regulated by the FAA.

Lodging is open in Monroe County

Lodging establishments can take guests but recommends maintaining occupancies at 50 percent or less for the first few weeks for the safety of their employees and visitors.

Vacation Rentals Approved to Rent beginning June 1, 2020

Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi received notification that Monroe County’s plan for reopening vacation rentals was approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) secretary per Governor Executive Order 20-123. Monroe County licensed vacation rentals can resume on June 1 along with hotels and other lodging establishments providing property owners and managers enhance protective measures for reservations, cleaning requirements, and new protocols for vacation rental housekeepers and property staff.

Under these new guidelines, reservations from COVID-19 hot spots identified by the Governor are to be avoided. COVID-19 identified hotspots according to the governor are New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Louisiana. Reservations from international guests will not be allowed until further notice.

House cleaning procedures should conform to the new enhanced standards issued by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, CDC, and DBPR. In addition to the enhanced standards, remote check-in and check-outs will be made available, along with printed copies of CDC regulations and guidelines and printed copies of local COVID-19 regulations and restrictions and signage highlighting the new cleaning protocols will be placed on the property. Cleaning and property staff will wear facial coverings and gloves and practice social distancing from each other while on property and maintain a schedule that does not coincide with the guest’s arrival or stay.

Key West Transit & Lower Keys Shuttle

Miami-Dade Transit

Route 301 from Miami-Dade to Monroe County is operating on an abbreviated route, with its last southbound stop being at MM 88 in Tavernier, at the Tom Thumb convenience store.

Port of Key West

Major U.S. cruise lines have voluntarily suspended operations due to COVID-19.

The port is still open for marine traffic which includes recreational vessels.

Naval Air Station Key West

Closed to all recreational visitors until further notice

Vulnerable Populations

The Governor also issued Executive Order 20-83, directing the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to all persons over 65 years of age urging them to stay home and to take such other measures as necessary to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19.